Around the world, the recent transfer deadline day was quieter than anticipated; however, Atletico Madrid made a significant acquisition by securing the talents of Obed Vargas. The 20-year-old midfielder transitioned from the Seattle Sounders directly to Madrid, setting up for his Copa del Rey debut shortly after moving from MLS.
Vargas, who has already played 25 minutes for Atletico this season, is admired by coach Diego Simeone. He first caught the attention of Atletico during the FIFA Club World Cup last summer, where they faced Sounders, and had the opportunity to meet Antoine Griezmann, a player he has looked up to throughout his youth.
“When he was just a kid in Alaska, Obed idolized Antoine Griezmann. Now, they are teammates. 馃ス source
This unexpected yet rapid move aligns with Vargas’s long-held ambition to play in Europe, a goal he articulated during MLS media day when he said, “After winning the MLS Cup, I aspire to play in Europe, and I believe that would be a major step for me.”
Recognized as the best player under 22 in the league, Vargas has made his mark on the field and aims to impress once again in Spain. As he prepares to face Barcelona in an upcoming match, Vargas hopes to solidify his place within the team while aiming for future stints with the Mexican national team.
Viewing Information
- Date: Thursday, Feb. 12
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Ryiad Air Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain
- Live Stream: ESPN+
- Odds: Atletico Madrid +200; Draw +295; Barcelona +120
After being capped three times for Mexico, Vargas aims to be on the roster for their March matches, indicating that the eventual goal is to represent Mexico at the World Cup at home. He concluded passionately, “Representing your national team at a World Cup is a beautiful responsibility, and I pray to do it the right way.”
